Opinion
Syndicated and guest columns represent the personal views of the writers, not necessarily those of the editorial staff. The editorial department operates entirely independently of the news department and is not involved in newsroom operations.
By Haidee Stith
Nov 1, 2026
1 hr ago
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Haidee Stith
The U.S. Small Business Administration is seeking comments on its proposal to increase the definition of “small” — the very essence of its mission and purpose. Small businesses need to rise up.
The SBA size standard for services is generally limited to businesses with fewer than 500 employees, with some variances by industry. Ninety-nine percent of U.S. businesses meet the current small-business size criteria, with most having fewer than 20 employees: the primary beneficiaries of SBA services.
In 2003, I was a founding director of the SBA-funded S.C. Women’s Business Center. We provided one-on-one technical assistance and training to small-business owners, helped clients apply for SBA-backed loans, and worked with businesses to compete for federal contracting opportunities.
There was always more demand for SBA services than funding would allow.
And that is what makes the administration’s effort to increase the size of businesses it serves so outrageously harmful to the nation’s real small businesses.
Congress created the various SBA programs and services to meet the needs of small businesses needing a leg up with tools to achieve profitability and growth. Once businesses grow and become financially successful, they become ineligible for these services. A company with more than 500 employees has resources to hire professionals to help with their growth and financing strategies. They shouldn’t receive taxpayer-funded SBA services.
If the size standard is increased, the Small Business Administration will shift its focus toward larger businesses, leaving behind the very small businesses that the agency was designed to support.